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High-concentration silver alloying and steep back-contact gallium grading enabling copper indium gallium selenide solar cell with 23.6% efficiency

Author

Listed:
  • Jan Keller

    (Uppsala University)

  • Klara Kiselman

    (Uppsala University)

  • Olivier Donzel-Gargand

    (Uppsala University)

  • Natalia M. Martin

    (Uppsala University)

  • Melike Babucci

    (Uppsala University)

  • Olle Lundberg

    (Evolar AB (now First Solar European Technology Center AB))

  • Erik Wallin

    (Evolar AB (now First Solar European Technology Center AB))

  • Lars Stolt

    (Uppsala University)

  • Marika Edoff

    (Uppsala University)

Abstract

Chalcopyrite-based solar cells have reached an efficiency of 23.35%, yet further improvements have been challenging. Here we present a 23.64% certified efficiency for a (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)Se2 solar cell, achieved through the implementation of a series of strategies. We introduce a relatively high amount of silver ([Ag]/([Ag] + [Cu]) = 0.19) into the absorber and implement a ‘hockey stick’-like gallium profile with a high concentration of Ga close to the molybdenum back contact and a lower, constant concentration in the region closer to the CdS buffer layer. This kind of elemental profile minimizes lateral and in-depth bandgap fluctuations, reducing losses in open-circuit voltage. In addition, the resulting bandgap energy is close to the local optimum of 1.15 eV. We apply a RbF post-deposition treatment that leads to the formation of a Rb–In–Se phase, probably RbInSe2, passivating the absorber surface. Finally, we discuss future research directions to reach 25% efficiency.

Suggested Citation

  • Jan Keller & Klara Kiselman & Olivier Donzel-Gargand & Natalia M. Martin & Melike Babucci & Olle Lundberg & Erik Wallin & Lars Stolt & Marika Edoff, 2024. "High-concentration silver alloying and steep back-contact gallium grading enabling copper indium gallium selenide solar cell with 23.6% efficiency," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(4), pages 467-478, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:9:y:2024:i:4:d:10.1038_s41560-024-01472-3
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01472-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Nicoleta Nicoara & Roby Manaligod & Philip Jackson & Dimitrios Hariskos & Wolfram Witte & Giovanna Sozzi & Roberto Menozzi & Sascha Sadewasser, 2019. "Direct evidence for grain boundary passivation in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells through alkali-fluoride post-deposition treatments," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-8, December.
    2. Maximilian Krause & Aleksandra Nikolaeva & Matthias Maiberg & Philip Jackson & Dimitrios Hariskos & Wolfram Witte & José A. Márquez & Sergej Levcenko & Thomas Unold & Roland Scheer & Daniel Abou-Ras, 2020. "Microscopic origins of performance losses in highly efficient Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin-film solar cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-10, December.
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